King James Version

What Does Isaiah 44:16 Mean?

Isaiah 44:16 in the King James Version says “He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he war...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:”

Isaiah 44:16 · KJV

Context

14

He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. strengtheneth: or, taketh courage

15

Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

16

He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

17

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

18

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. shut: Heb. daubed

Read Isaiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Half the wood becomes practical fire - for roasting meat and warming ('Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire'). The satisfaction expressed over fire's practical benefit contrasts with what follows: the same wood becomes an object of worship. Fire actually does something; the idol does nothing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exclamation 'Aha, I am warm' captures genuine satisfaction from fire's utility. This authentic benefit contrasts sharply with the idol's complete inability to provide anything real.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between legitimate satisfaction in God's gifts and idolatrous trust in them?
  2. What does the fire's real warmth teach about genuine versus false sources of satisfaction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
חֶצְיוֹ֙1 of 18

“part”

H2677

the half or middle

שָׂרַ֣ף2 of 18

“He burneth”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בְּמוֹ3 of 18

“thereof in”

H1119

in, with, by, etc

אֵ֔שׁ4 of 18

“the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

עַל5 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חֶצְיוֹ֙6 of 18

“part”

H2677

the half or middle

בָּשָׂ֣ר7 of 18

“flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

יֹאכֵ֔ל8 of 18

“thereof he eateth”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יִצְלֶ֥ה9 of 18

“he roasteth”

H6740

to roast

צָלִ֖י10 of 18

“roast”

H6748

roasted

וְיִשְׂבָּ֑ע11 of 18

“and is satisfied”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

אַף12 of 18
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

חַמּוֹתִ֖י13 of 18

“I am warm”

H2552

to be hot (literally or figuratively)

וְיֹאמַ֣ר14 of 18

“himself and saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֶאָ֔ח15 of 18

“Aha”

H1889

aha!

חַמּוֹתִ֖י16 of 18

“I am warm”

H2552

to be hot (literally or figuratively)

רָאִ֥יתִי17 of 18

“I have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֽוּר׃18 of 18

“the fire”

H217

flame; hence (in the plural) the east (as being the region of light)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 44:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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